We've broached several ways that actress Colleen Wainwright sees actors around here tripping themselves up, including being overly needy, not accepting responsibility for moving their career forward, and refusing to listening to the sage advice. Sometimes you can find the excitement you're looking for in some other vehicle than you might expect, as Top Gear's host, Jeremy Clarkson, shows us.
In our society, we are quickly trained to expect what we want, when we want it. Breaking that expectation is much easier said than done! Even those who show extreme patience have a hard time not wanting their big break to happen right now. It's understandable, since everything a talent works for is so abstract and seemingly intangible. There will always be something bigger to continue working for, which makes the journey seem endless. The good news? It is endless! Allowing yourself to accept the fact that the journey itself is the continuum of pursuing your craft could relieve some pressure and anxiety. Reminding yourself every day of that fact is a must in order to keep the focus and avoid the fear. In Colleen's words . . .
4. Moving too fast.
The worst thing may be nothing ever happening for you, but the second worst thing is having the exact, right thing happen to you before you're ready.
It's good to keep stretching; it's dangerous to go too far, too fast. Practice patience. Take the time to ground yourself—in your work, in your process, in your tools, in your life. You want your breaks coinciding with readiness.
Every time a talent presses to move farther than their skill set and experience allows, long term damange is done. As an agent, I've watched talent demand to audition for roles they were not suited for or able to deliver on. Not being able to see that is frustrating from the talent's perspective. Hearing a casting director say they no longer want to see a talent for any role is heart-breaking from the agent's perspective.
Take a deep breath and reassure yourself that there is a time and place for everything. Your determination and willingness will allow your craft to grow . . . and those great opportunities for which you pine will present themselves when the timing is right. And only then, will you be ready to use them as a stepping stone to something bigger and more exciting. Until then, continue to appreciate the opportunities you have and the time to build your skill set and knowledge. Growing isn't always easy, but it will always find reward!
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